What you need to know about GMOs

8:43 PM,
Jan. 3, 2014

Boxes of Cheerios.

Written by

Jolie Lee, USA TODAY

General Mills announced its iconic cereal brand Cheerios will no longer contain ingredients with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). What exactly are GMOs, and where else are they found? USA TODAY Network examines these and a few other questions you may have.

What are GMOs?

GMOs are plants or animals whose cells have been inserted with a gene from an unrelated species in order to take on specific characteristics. For example, plants might be genetically engineered to develop a resistance against insects or to increase nutrients. GMOs have been part of our food for the past 20 years. No ...